Industrial hemp supporters still hope for state approval

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — As a new year dawns on yet another
attempt at legalization of industrial hemp production in Illinois, proponents
are cautiously optimistic that opposition may be softening.

State Rep. Kenneth Dunkin, D-Chicago, introduced a bill last
March that would allow growing hemp as an industrial crop, and it has picked up
bipartisan support. The bill has languished in committee since, but there are
hopes that hemp could one day be a major crop in the state.

While related botanically to marijuana, hemp contains only a
tiny amount of THC — the active ingredient in marijuana that gives users their
high. But opposition to its legalization has been strong for years, both at the
state and federal level.

Dunkin, who is not on the agriculture committee and has no
farmland in his urban district, nevertheless sees the potential of hemp
production in the state. The plant’s strong fibers were used in the past for
such products as tents, parachutes and rope before the development of synthetic
materials.

“When George Bush jumped out of a plane, he had a parachute
made out of hemp,” Dunkin said. “Five presidents had hemp plantations. One of
the biggest hemp manufacturing plants in the world was here.”

This is the third go-around for hemp legislation in
Illinois. Bills have passed twice before, but were vetoed by former Gov. George
Ryan.

Winds Of Change

Illinois resident and agriculture advocate Jeff Gain, who
has lobbied for years for legalization of hemp, has seen his share of
disappointment. But he senses a change at the federal level.

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., is among
those in Congress working on a change in the status of hemp, which is on the
Schedule 1 drug list. The Schedule 1 list also includes heroin, ecstasy and
Quaalude. The Drug Enforcement Agency and Food and Drug Administration are
responsible for drug classification.

“There recently has been some movement in that direction on
both sides of the aisle,” Gain said. “Mitch McConnell and a number of others
have joined up behind a bill in the Senate that would simply remove industrial
hemp from the Schedule 1 drug list.

“That’s the whole problem: The DEA has put industrial hemp
on the drug list, and they’ve done it illegally. It is legal to grow according
to Congress, and it’s not a drug. If that bill could be passed and the president
would sign it, that’s all it would take.”

Federal law supersedes state legislation regarding cannabis.
But legalizing industrial hemp in Illinois is still a necessary preliminary step
for production. More than 15 states have passed laws legalizing hemp.

“In Illinois they have laws on the books that prohibit you
from growing it,” Gain said. “We’ve tried to clear the books so that when the
federal government approves it, the state is in a position to go ahead and grow
it. Also, politically, that sends a message to Washington.”

The state did pass a medical marijuana law last year and is
gearing up for its implementation. That places Illinois among 20 states that
allow the growth and distribution of marijuana. In addition, Colorado is the
first state to legalize recreational use of marijuana.

But the liberalization of marijuana laws doesn’t necessarily
pave the way for hemp production. Gain, who has headed up national organizations
such as the National Corn Growers and American Soybean Association, also serves
on the board of the North American Industrial Hemp Council. Hemp advocates
always have had an uneasy relationship with pro-marijuana forces.

“We have distanced ourselves from that,” Gain said. “We’re
not against it or for it; it’s just not our issue. We’re supporting industrial
hemp, which is an industrial crop.”

Growers of marijuana aim for THC levels between 18 percent
and 22 percent. In contrast, industrial hemp has only about 0.3 percent THC,
Gain said.

“It’s really kind of crazy to see the movement in the
direction of legalized marijuana, even for recreational use in Colorado,” he
said. “We just scratch our heads. Why can’t we approve a crop that’s not even a
drug?”

The hemp council is no radical, hippie group. One of its
board members is former CIA Director James Woolsey.

Ally In Drug War?

Ironically, widespread hemp production could actually be
detrimental to marijuana potency.

“I’ve met with the DEA personally and with secretaries of
agriculture over the years and even in the White House with (former drug czar)
Barry McCaffrey,” Gain said. “I tell them that we’re their best friends in the
drug war, because if you grow industrial hemp it will cross-pollinate with
marijuana and each year it does that, it reduces the THC level by half.”

Hemp has a number of industrial uses, including as a
component of fiberboard for automobile interiors. It is legally produced in
Canada and used by U.S. automakers. Dunkin would like to see Illinois reap the
benefits of its production and sale.

“Instead of being importers, we should make it,” he said. “I
try to be perceptive. I’m a city boy. The idea of anything being grown, that’s
connected to the earth, makes a lot of sense to me. We’re going to have it back
in the agriculture committee and get our farmers rocking and rolling with a new
industry so that Illinois can make some money.”

Gain also is looking forward to the day Illinois farmers can
grow hemp. But it will take more than just a few politicians to push the agenda
forward, he believes.

“I’ve always been optimistic, but I’ve been optimistic for
20 years, and it hasn’t helped,” he said. “It’s a matter of education. Once
people understand what the issue really is, they’re supportive.

“There is always the concern among politicians that somehow
it will hurt their chances for re-election, and they shy away from it. That’s
the thing that has to be overcome. The key is education and some of the
leadership of people like Mitch McConnell.”

If Sen. McConnell wanted to move this issue forward he should call Speaker Boehner and urge him to move HR 525 to the House floor for a vote which would pass overwhelmingly and move to the Senate. If Sen. Reid sat on it or refused to bring it up it would be a death blow for D's Senate majority. This comment has been hidden due to low approval.